California's state fruit is often considered a vegetable

There are a number of early varieties of avocados available from several farms at the Coachella Valley Certified Farmers’ Markets. Choose from Bacon, Stewart, Jim, Zutano and more, each with its own subtle difference in flavor, amount of oil, thickness of skin and ripening time.

Bacon avocados get their name from the farmer who developed them, Jim Bacon. They take about a week to ripen, but they are worth it. Bacon avocados have a thin green skin with yellow-green flesh inside. The flavor is rich and buttery. Jim (sometimes called Jim Bacon) avocados are also at the markets. They are smaller and somewhat ovoid in shape. They have green flesh which is mild and smooth. Usually Jim avocados are ripe at the market, so you can take them home, peel them (use a potato peeler — they have very thin skin) and use immediately.

Stewart avocados, another variety that’s at the markets right now, are a Mexican variety. They are generally pear-shaped with a thin purple skin. They are known for their high quality flesh that is a vibrant greenish-yellow in color. Stewarts have a nutty flavor and nearly 20 percent oil content. Two or three days will ensure that your Stewart avocado is ripe and ready to eat.

Zutano avocados are also at the market. They are pear-shaped, with a thin, glossy green skin, which remains green even when ripe. The flesh is pale green, with less oil than other varieties. The result is a lighter and milder flavor.

Even more varieties of avocados will be coming in as the season progresses — Haas, Pinkerton and more. One of the best things about getting avocados at the market is that you can always choose from several varieties, and actually talk to the farmers about the varieties you are buying to get a sense of their overall flavor, oil content, consistency and ripening time.

NEWSLETTERS

Get the Coachella 2019 newsletter delivered to your inbox

We're sorry, but something went wrong

Get an exclusive look at the history of the festival and stay up to date ahead of the 20th anniversary event.

Did you know: Avocados are the official fruit of California (even though they are actually a berry and generally thought of as a vegetable when it comes to culinary uses). Fallbrook actually claims to be the “Avocado Capital of the World,” although the town of Uruapan in Mexico also claims the title.

Price: 50 cents to $1.50 each; $5 a bag. Check with each farmer for their varieties and prices.

Read or Share this story: http://desert.sn/2mEvgpH

NEWSLETTERS

Get the Coachella 2019 newsletter delivered to your inbox

We're sorry, but something went wrong

Get an exclusive look at the history of the festival and stay up to date ahead of the 20th anniversary event.